Yuki Onishi, founder of the world’s first ramen shop to earn a Michelin star, has died at the age of 43.
It was not immediately clear when the renowned Japanese chef – who founded Japanese Soba Noodles Tsuta, or simply Tsuta – passed away. However, news outlets say he has died chronic heart failure. His company, where he last worked as director and global executive chef, made the news Friday.
“Yuki Onishi is a meticulous and talented chef who founded the first MICHELIN-starred ramen restaurant, Japanese Soba Noodles Tsuta, increasing the popularity of this noodle dish beyond Japan,” said Tsuta Global in a statement. “On behalf of management, our thoughts are with his family, friends and staff around the world as we work to continue his legacy.”
Onishi founded Tsuta as a small eatery in Tokyo’s Sugamo district in 2012. It has since gained a cult-like following, earning its first Michelin star in 2016.
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Tsuta is known for its shoyu ramen with a chicken and seafood dashi base infused with black truffle oil. Its head shop is now located in Tokyo’s Yoyogi-Uehara district, while overseas outlets are currently include three in Singapore, two in Bangkok and one in New York.
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Onishi was born in Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture, in 1979. He started making ramen at the age of 18 at his father’s shop, Nanae Aji no Mise Mejiro, after graduating from high school.
At the age of 22, Onishi fulfilled his dream of working in the fashion industry by becoming a merchandiser for a fashion firm based in Tokyo. The position brought him opportunities abroad, but he quit after six years after realizing ramen was his true calling.
“Chef Yuki has dedicated his life to the pursuit of ramen excellence, as he is always thinking of ways to improve the taste of his ramen,” Tsuta Global Chief Executive Officer Brian Chua told The Sunday Times. “I remember that he told me that his goal was always to create one and only original taste that distinguished him from others.”
Featured Image via Tsuta Japan Official / NextShark